Dana Point Harbor Partners’ Underserved Youth Program Aims to Provide Unforgettable Ocean Experiences and Education to More Than 1,000 Underserved Youths in 2023
The long-awaited $400 million, multiyear revitalization of Dana Point Harbor commenced at The Marina at Dana Point in August 2022. In collaboration with the California Coastal Commission, DPHP will improve public access to the water through both the intricate design of The Marina and the newly developed community outreach programs.
Bellwether Financial Group, a partner in DPHP and the firm responsible for The Marina operations and redevelopment, is spearheading a robust outreach program to expose underserved youth from both local, and inland communities to aquatic activities including swim lessons, ocean education, whale watching, surfing, kayaking, and sailing each year.
Boys and Girls Club – For a majority of the kids it was their first time on a boat.
Since the program commenced in August 2022, the Underserved Youth Program has provided hundreds of underserved youths in the community the opportunity to experience ocean education and activities, often for the very first time. In 2023, the program aims to provide unforgettable ocean experiences and education to more than 1,000 underserved youths. To implement the program, DPHP has partnered with Orange County non-profits including the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, The Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano, and San Juan Elementary School.
“It has been several years since we started collaborating with the Surfrider Foundation on developing our youth program. Now as we enter into our first full year, it is incredible that we have more than twenty organizations participating in our efforts,” said Joe Ueberroth, founder and president of Bellwether Financial Group, owner of Bellingham Marine, and a partner of Dana Point Harbor Partners. “My partners and I look forward to continuing this program in 2023 and beyond for seeing the smile and reaction of a child that has just learned to swim or stepped on their first boat or rode their first wave never loses its magic for all of us involved.”
The program includes robust tracking of the participants to measure the program’s impact. The Marina recently welcomed a dedicated community outreach coordinator to measure and track the impact of the program in order to report the success to the California Coastal Commission.
The next whale watching trip with Big Brothers Big Sisters will take place on January 28 on the Manute’a, one of Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari’s catamarans.
For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. To learn more about the revitalization, visit danapointharbor.com/revitalization.
Dana Point Harbor invites you to enjoy fun, sun, ocean activities, delicious dining, shopping and more. From migratory gray whales that frequent the coastline to stunning sunsets and harbor views, there’s seaside beauty and unforgettable adventure at Dana Point Harbor. For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP), a collaboration created to operate and redevelop Dana Point Harbor in a P-3 partnership with the County of Orange, is made up of three “best in class” real estate development firms, each specializing in a unique product type. Burnham Ward Properties is responsible for stewarding the harbor’s Commercial Core activities featuring the retail, restaurants, offices and other landside buildings, as well as all parkscape areas. Bellwether Financial Group guides the marina operations including the boat slips, boater facilities, dry boat storage, day-boat parking, guest slips, and launch ramp areas. R.D. Olson Development leads the hotel redevelopment and hospitality components of the harbor and currently operates the Dana Point Marina Inn.
The partnership is developing a master plan that connects the harbor’s landside and waterside to become a singular cohesive waterfront experience. United by a love of the water and dedicated to preserving Dana Point Harbor’s historical significance, the partnership is applying all areas of respective expertise to ensure every element of the harbor will be thoughtfully designed, redeveloped and managed to be reimagined into a world-class destination with historic roots and local charm.
Photo provided courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners
